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LP5907: Ultra Librarian Schematic Symbol and Power Pins

Part Number: LP5907
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: LM3670

Usually I create my own symbols and footprints but decided to take Ultra Librarian for a "spin" to target Altium schematic symbols and PCB footprints.  I noticed that the GND pin is correctly assigned to a pin with the "power" property.   However, the VCC pin (VIN) and VOUT pins were assigned as inputs and outputs respectively.    The recommendation from Altium documentation is to make these pins as "power" as well.  

The common thread is to throw out the schematic symbol - primarily for pin organization reasons.  I haven't been able to find a thread which points out the pin properties for power pins.   Although I've only piloted one part thus far - the concern is if I expand this to generate more symbols - they would all share a common issue (per my pin property conventions).  This is workable, but adds another touch-up step.

Are regulator VCC pins as inputs and power supply pins (VOUT) as outputs come from a requirement of the Webench plugin?  It would be interesting to learn why the pin properties were chosen in conflict with current Altium guidelines.

  • Hi Jason,

      Thanks for contacting TI.  I would say this was simply a mistake.  The pins should have been set to Power instead of input or output.  If you look at the other LP5907 bxl, you'll see VIN and VOUT were defined as power pins.

      We will post an updated bxl as soon as reasonably possible.  Thank you for notifying us of this error.

    Regards,

    Oliver

  • Thanks for the feedback - I'm manually changing those pins to the power property.   Now I've increased my sample size to 2 by going on to another bxl file and this second one has problems too.

    LM3670_DBV_5.bxl file sourced from: http://www.ti.com/product/LM3670/quality

    This part, unlike the LP5907 part, is complaining about the package.  "This footprint does not exist in the current library, or the component does not have a footprint assigned.  Footprint Name: MF05A_N"

    I could probably dig around for another part sharing the same package and unearth a BXL with the footprint as one option.

    Altium has an old InLib from the days when they centrally provided libraries back in 2012

    Unified Components:

    National Semiconductor "Switcher" -> National_Semiconductor_Switcher.zip
    "National Semiconductor Switcher.IntLib" Date = 3/7/2012
    National Semiconductor "MiscPower" -> National_Semiconductor_MiscPower.zip
    "National Semiconductor MiscPower.IntLib" Date = 3/9/2012

  • Hi Jason,

      I just looked at that .bxl file and confirmed your findings.  I have just asked the group that now generates .bxl files to update it asap using the TI footprints.

      The NSC footprints you would find in  NSC MiscPower.IntLib would also work fine if you're in a rush. 

      Another trick you could use to find a footprint in another bxl would be to search https://webench.ti.com/cad/ for the package and pin combo of interest.  i.e. DBV_5.  You'd end up with a URL like this:  https://webench.ti.com/cad/cad.cgi?partno=DBV_5.  In this case, you have many valid options for other .bxl files that use the 5-pin DBV package. 

    Regards,

    Oliver

    PS We have updated the first bxl you notified us about.  I'm not sure if it has propagated to the web site yet, but it is on the way.

  • Hi Jason,

     I'm attaching an updated .bxl for the LM3670.  It should be live in the product folder in two days or less.  I hope this solves your immediate problems, and that you are happy with the support we've provided to correct the issues you have pointed out to us.

    Regards,

    Oliver

    LM3670_DBV_5.zip